Graphic Design BA(Hons)

Year 1

Year 1 introduces you to the basic concepts of visual communication in graphic design. Through a series of studio-based projects and workshops in computing, letterpress, photography and book arts, you will begin to develop your own visual language.

Modules

• Introduction to Visual Communication: Orientation and Exploration

  This module provides an introduction to the key concepts and practices of visual communication.

  It's a dynamic and mobile subject that has been fundamental in shaping modern global culture and continues to profoundly influence the way we perceive, understand and navigate the world.

  You will be introduced to the history, practices and techniques that inform visual communication, exploring experimentation, creativity and design approaches you will be asked to critically reflect on your practice through guided and independent study.

• The Practice of Visual Communication: Investigation and Application

  Visual communication is a diverse and constantly reformulating practice that uses a wide range of technical processes to engage with audiences. This module introduces you to a range of working methods, practices and techniques.

  You will explore a range of technical skills and you will be encouraged to investigate new approaches, combine existing techniques and explore traditional methods to develop innovative outputs.

• The Theories and Practice of Visual Communication: Media, Messages and Meaning in Graphic Design

  In this module you will examine, define and apply concepts, practices and debates that inform visual communication.

  You will explore the theoretical concepts and contemporary and historical approaches that have been used to communicate messages and meaning and apply these into practice by experimenting with a range of media, contexts, techniques and processes.

  Through focused analysis you will critically reflect on the on-going debate and reformulation of visual communication as a subject area.

• Developing a Visual Language: Personal Project

  In this module you will explore visual communication and your relationship to it by constructing a self-directed project.

  Visual communication encourages diverse approaches to professional practice and the development of a personal visual language. As you begin to identify and locate your practice within a framework of critical debate and ethical considerations you will have the opportunity to experiment with concepts, define approaches and critically reflect on them with an analysis of contemporary practice.

Making sure that what you learn with us is relevant, up to date and what employers are looking for is our priority, so courses are reviewed and enhanced on an ongoing basis. When you have applied to us, you’ll be told about any new developments through our applicant portal.

Hear 2017 graduate Shane Sayers discuss his experience of studying Graphic Design at Brighton

Year 2

Year 2 introduces the key concepts of sequential communication with a focus on self-initiated, collaborative, experimental and independent ways of working. You will also begin to explore the creative industries via a personal and professional development programme. In years 2 and 3 you will attend a weekly professional practice lecture by guest speakers working within the industry. During your second year you can also take one module from a different course or discipline within the university to broaden your creative horizons and inform your work.

Modules 

• The Theories and Practice of Visual Communication: Audiences and Contexts
• The Theories and Practice of Visual Communication: Contemporary Practice
• The Theories and Practice of Visual Communication: Context of Personal Practice in Graphic Design

• Option module*

*Option modules are indicative and may change, depending on timetabling and staff availability.

Final year

In year 3 you build upon the creative and analytical abilities you have developed. Teaching encourages greater personal development as you move towards a more self-directed programme of study. You will work on set, with self-initiated projects and live industry projects, while establishing professional practice links.

Modules

• The Theories and Practice of Visual Communication: Articulation of Graphic Design
• The Theories and Practice of Visual Communication: Independent Practice in Graphic Design

This mobile printing machine was designed by Chloe Legret in her third year – it is designed to both embody and fuel design. Local arts organisations have access to the machine.

Facilities

• Dedicated studio space
• Central media centre with computing facilities specific to the needs of designers and illustrators
• Technical staff are on hand to assist you in the workshops. 
• Dedicated technical workshops in letterpress printing and book arts 
• Central media centre with computing facilities specific to the needs of designers and illustrators 
• Book arts workshop (dedicated technician).
• Techhub featuring laser cutting, plasma cutting, CNC 3-axis milling, CNC routing, 3D body scanning, portable 3D scanning and rapid prototyping. 
• Department print bureau
• We have one of the country's best-stocked art and design libraries  
• Internationally important Design Archives with a wealth of graphic design and illustration material.

Meet the team

Beth Salter, course leader

Beth worked as a graphic designer in the fashion industry before setting up her own Brighton-based studio, taking on art direction projects for the music industry and creative start-ups. Beth now works on projects as a freelance designer alongside teaching across a host of specialisms, including art direction, exhibition and store design, photography, digital, moving image and brand identity.

Beth’s research has two strands: the importance of cultural context and relevance in the teaching of graphic design; and projects that engage students and the local community with social, cultural and environmental concerns.

Read Beth's research profile.

Other staff include: Gavin Ambrose, Chris Bigg, Siobhan Keaney, Martin Andersen, Simon Emery, Allyson Waller, Sarah Langford and Gavin Fry.

Student view 

Ciaran Birch, 2019 graduate

"Studying at Brighton has been full of change for me. My work ethic has changed dramatically and I feel so much more motivated in the work that I complete. The tutors have always been there to offer guidance or expertise. Sometimes criticism was harsh but this was just what I needed; it has definitely enabled me to evaluate my work more efficiently and question my methods."

Jane Englefield, 2019 graduate

"I feel lucky that Brighton encourages continuous personal exploration in order to understand your individual identity as a practitioner, as this can be a complex and often overwhelming area to attempt to unravel. As I leave university, certainly, I consider mine to be a work in progress, and am excited to see how me and all of my course mates evolve."

Tiago Matthius, 2019 graduate

"I’ve had a great time in Brighton, the course really allowed me to try new things and really push me as a designer; through the years I realised that what I enjoyed doing was video and the tutors where really supportive and always very helpful. The nature of the course allows you to try new things which was great for someone like me that enjoys to do many things in the world of design."

Rifke Sadeir, designer and developer, graduated in 2016

"I think one of the best and most unusual things about the graphic design course in Brighton is that it's combined with the illustration course. I felt like this made it the perfect environment for collaborative work and sharing ideas across the two subjects. Being taught in the same studio (as illustration) enabled me to get advice and crits from illustration tutors, and to use the same facilities/workshops.

"The fact that the course is so open to pursuing your own interests and choosing what you want to learn means that collectively we have a really diverse skill-set. We're all really supportive of each other's successes, and quite often end up working together which feels like a natural progression from uni. I think the most important thing I took away from the course is friends and collaborators!

"It seems  a lot of us have ended up in similar circles in terms of work since graduation. Studying at Brighton has had a direct effect on my work now. Doing a design degree rather than learning coding through a route such as computer science means that my work is heavily design-led and I try to make sure that I undertake design and illustration work alongside web-based work."

Final year work by Ciaran Birch

International requirements and visas

We can help you meet our English language or academic entry requirements.

Visas and immigration advice

Portfolio and interview advice 

Applying for a place in 2020?

We request to see a pre-selection online portfolio of 15–20 images. We are looking for evidence of ideas in any format (sketchbooks, layout books etc), backed up by a broad range of skills showing how you generate and develop ideas, and that you are passionate and inquisitive about the subject.

• Typography in all its forms, for example, expressive, applied, kinetic.
• Photography – inventive, creative and applied.
• Type and image – be imaginative, bold and creative.
• Think invention, imagination, expression, exploration.
• Do not include life drawing, unless it is part of a project.

At interview

You need to be highly motivated and well prepared as we normally interview over 170 applicants. In the interviews we expect applicants to show evidence of:

• drawing ability and use of sketch books or worksheets
• imagination and visual awareness through enthusiasm for images (collected work)
• evidence of independence and initiative in work produced
• being able to articulate ideas and problem solve
• have an understanding of the historical contexts of subjects
• openness to having work critically judged and developing critical judgment
• varied interests in general subjects
• skills in making objects.

We are not looking for highly finished work. The portfolio, ideally in chronological order, should show a broad range of work both successful and unsuccessful.

Course fees

What's included

You may have to pay additional costs during your studies. The cost of optional activities is not included in your tuition fee and you will need to meet this cost in addition to your fees. A summary of the costs that you may be expected to pay, and what is included, whilst studying a course in the School of Art are listed here.

• For most courses you will need to budget for the cost of specialist materials, equipment and printing and are likely to spend between £50–£300 per year.
• Costs in your final year of study are very likely to be higher than in earlier years as you bring together your final body of work and portfolio, and you may need to budget between £200 and £1,000.
• For some courses you may also need to budget up to £100 for specialist personal protective clothing which, with care, will last for the whole of your course and beyond.
• For most courses you will have the opportunity to attend field trips and off-site visits, for example to galleries, exhibitions and studios both in the UK and overseas. These are optional and are not required to pass your course. The amount spent would be based on location and number of trips taken, and typically range between £100 and £700 across the duration of your course.
• You will have access to computers and necessary software at City campus and at other locations across the university. However, many students choose to buy their own hardware – usually a laptop, software and accessories. The amount spent will depend on your individual choices but this expenditure is not essential to pass any of our courses.
• Course books and a wide range of magazines and journals are available in the university libraries. You do not need to have your own copies, but if you wish to, you should budget up to £200 over your course to buy them.
• For courses in which there is an optional placement year, you will need to budget for living costs (rent, food, travel etc) in that city/country, as if you were on site at the university.

You can chat with our enquiries team through the Stay in touch panel at the end of this page if you require further information. Or check our finance pages for advice about funding and scholarships as well as more information about fees and advice on international and island fee-paying status

Info

The fees listed here are for full-time courses beginning in the academic year 2020–21.

Further tuition fees are payable for each subsequent year of study and are subject to an annual increase of no more than 5% or RPI (whichever is the greater). The annual increase for UK/EU students, who are subject to regulated fees, will increase no more than the statutory maximum fee.

You can find out more about our fees in the university's student contract and tuition fee policy (pdf).

The tuition fee you have to pay depends on a number of factors including the kind of course you take, and whether you study full-time or part-time. If you are studying part-time you will normally be charged on a pro rata basis depending on the number of modules you take.

Local area

Campus where this course is taught

Accommodation

Maps